PM directive to implement 14 projects in Southern Governorate

Manama : His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has given directives to implement 14 development, service and tourism projects in the Southern Governorate.

The directive was issued at the weekly Cabinet session, which was also attended by His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, at the Gudaibiya Palace yesterday. 

The Ministerial Committee for Urbanisation and Infrastructure has been asked to study 11 development projects in the Southern Governorate, and instructed them to expedite the work on three projects currently being implemented in the governorate. 

The projects are: a model integrated primary, intermediate and secondary school for girls and a youth centre in Zallaq, the Isa Town Souq revamp, the study of the establishment of a new health centre in Khalifa Town, revamping the Riffa Market and the Ain Hunainiya Park, revamping Avenue 96, revamping the Askar Stadium to be used for multiple purposes and activities, installing CCTV cameras at the Riffa Market, revamping the Bu Kawarah Garden and the establishment of a Majlis for the Al-Dour citizens.

Medical regulation

On health, HRH Premier gave directives to the Health Ministry to coordinate with the competent authorities to tighten control over some types of treatment that may be misused for purposes that are criminalised by the law.

The cabinet also discussed the formation of two national committees, comprising representatives from the public and private health sectors. The first one, which is the High Committee for Quality and Clinical Standards, will provide technical advice on how to improve the quality and sustainability of health services. As to the second, which is the High Committee for Medical Training, it aims to build the capacity of medical staff. 

The move is in line with the government’s keenness to improve the quality of public and private health services, consolidate competitiveness, and promote monitoring and transparency, as the best means to ensure the optimal use of resources in the health sector

The memorandum presented by the Health Minister in this regard was referred to the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs for further study.

Cabinet Decisions

• While reviewing the memoranda on its agenda, the cabinet approved, based on a recommendation by the Executive Committee, led by HRH the Crown Prince, a draft-law on reconstruction and bankruptcy, and decided to refer it to the Legislative Branch. The bill aims to promote the economic growth-supporting legislation and to encourage investment. It will contribute to updating bankruptcy proceedings and to creating the financial re-structuring of commercial institutions and companies system, except for those subject to the supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). The bill also contributes to assisting bankrupt companies to rectify their situation and ensure the rights of all parties.
• The session endorsed the kingdom’s accession to the Agreement of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and decided to refer a draft law in this regard to the Legislature. Under the bill, the Minister of Finance shall subscribe to the shares of the capital of the bank in the name of Bahrain, while CBB shall be the depositing institution for the subscription in the Kingdom.
• The cabinet approved the ratification of the Third Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bahrain and the United States, and decided to refer a draft law in this regard to the National Assembly. 
• The session approved the amendment of BHB’s Establishment Law and Internal Regulation. The move, highlighted in a memorandum presented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, aims to add an e-registration mechanism to facilitate procedures and to amend the responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the executive management in relation to vacancies, board meetings and the allocation of responsibilities. The session endorsed a draft decree on amending BHB’s Establishment Law and Internal Regulation.
• The session reviewed a draft-law on amending some provisions of the Child Law, promulgated by Law 37/2012, which was proposed by the Council of Representatives. The bill was referred to the Legislative Branch, along with a memorandum explaining the government’s opinion, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs, and presented by the Minister of Parliament Affairs.
• The cabinet discussed two proposals submitted by the Council of Representatives on water-pooling in Al-Lawzi, and the treatment of expatriate workers, and endorsed the government’s replies to them, as recommended by the Ministerial Committee for Legal Affairs.
• The session was informed about a report by the Minister of Interior on his participation in the 35th session of the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council, recently held in Algiers, and another on his participation in the International Security Coalition meeting, hosted by Abu Dhabi recently.
• The cabinet also reviewed another report by the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the outcomes of the 149th session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, held recently in Cairo.

Congratulated

The Cabinet congratulated the laureates of the UNESCO-King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Education.

The session lauded the role of the prestigious award which carries a dear name, and contributes to promoting the goals of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) of using ICTs to improve education and develop its output.

Geosciences conference

HRH Premier highlighted the importance of the 13th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition (GEO 2018), held recently under his patronage and opened on his behalf by Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, hailing GEO 2018’s outstanding organisation and increasing participation of world oil companies and geoscience experts.

BCCI poll

Referring to the recent elections to the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the session congratulated the winners, and affirmed the government’s support for the trade and industrial sectors, represented by BCCI. Commenting on a report by the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister on BCCI elections, the cabinet also praised BCCI’s role in supporting the government’s policies regarding the economic development process.

Bird flu

The Prime Minister also gave instructions to take precautionary measures and tighten control to prevent the arrival of bird flu to the country from some areas where the disease had been detected, and requested the relevant authorities to monitor the situation.

Saudi Prince visit

The session lauded the outcomes of the recent visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to the United Kingdom, highlighting the role of the visit in strengthening Arab-British relations, citing the strengthening of the UK’s stances in support of Saudi Arabia. The gracious welcome accorded to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the official and public levels reflects the great status enjoyed by Saudi Arabia at both the regional and international arenas, the session said.